Timothy Savage

Tim Savage is a native of Malone, N.Y. where he graduated from Franklin Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science (1984) and Masters (1996) in Music Education from the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam. He resides in Canton with his wife, Jill and two daughters, Kate and Abbie.

After playing professionally in Albany and Syracuse during the 1980’s, Tim returned to the North Country to teach. He is currently the Director of Bands for Grades 7-12 at Canton Central School where he also teaches High School Music Theory and Music Alternatives in a constructivist context. Adjunct instructor at St. Lawrence University since 2005, Tim has directed the Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds and in Fall 2007 launched the SLU Improv Lab, with which he is currently engaged.

Tim remains active as a professional musician. He currently plays baritone sax in Northern Symphonic Winds, reeds with the Wally Siebel All Star Big Band, trombone with the Potsdam Community Band, and piano in a variety of small jazz groups and venues.

Over the past 25 years, Tim has conducted a number of All-District, All-County, and Area All-State Bands and Orchestras. He is President of the Orchestra of Northern New York Board of Directors, Treasurer of the Crane School of Music Alumni Association, and Chairperson for the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA) Statewide Honor Jazz Ensemble.

DRILLS FOR SKILLS: Teaching (through Modeling) What and How To Practice.  Every Time. 

This session will demonstrate a sequential series of drills encompassing long tones, technique throughout the range of the instrument, and chromatic and diatonic scale work that have been developed over the last 20 years of Grade 5-12 instrumental music instruction of all band instruments.  Current practice commits 12-15 minutes/day (depending on the age and ability levels) at the start of each lesson (and hopefully home practice session).  The procedures have proven helpful as lesson group sizes increase and student home practice time decreases.  This process also lends itself well to implementation of Common Core State Standards because it provides a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. As NYSED Commissioner King recently stated: “High accountability and a high level of support are the formula for success.” Articulation of these drills to large ensemble rehearsals will also be demonstrated.  Participants are encouraged to bring a clarinet and brass instrument other than French horn to experience the drills for themselves.